GE has announced the appointment of Max York as the new CEO of GE Australia, effective November 1st.

Mr York will replace outgoing CEO Geoff Culbert, who will take on the CEO role at Sydney Airport Corporation.

York, who spent fourteen years as the General Manager for GE Aviation in Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, will be based in GE Australia’s North Sydney headquarters and will be responsible for operations across Australia.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr York said:

“GE has a long-standing track record of innovation in Australia and Geoff has done an outstanding job in his tenure as CEO. My focus will be to build upon this success, and to work with our exceptional team and customers to continue to bring world-class technology to our shores,” he stated.

“I see great opportunities for GE in Australia, and am looking forward to taking on this new challenge.”

Wouter Van Wersch, President and CEO of GE in the ASEAN/ANZ region, said York brings to the table ‘a deep understanding’ of GE’s operations in the region.

“Max is a strong leader who brings with him nearly two decades of GE experience, deep customer relationships and a passion for people,” Mr Wersch said.

“We are committed to Australia and are excited to see him continue to grow the company in this important country.”

Additionally, the company announced that GE’s Country Leader in New Zealand, Kevin Hart, will move into the role of CEO of GE New Zealand and GE Papua New Guinea.

Mr Hart, was appointed Country Leader in New Zealand in May 2016 following more than thirty years in the energy sector, will now expand his role to oversee GE’s businesses in New Zealand as well as Papua New Guinea, which will see a focus on supporting the growth and development of the country’s infrastructure.

According to Mr Wersch, he will remain based in Christchurch, and will travel across the region to oversee the company’s operations.

“Kevin has had great success leading the business in New Zealand and I am confident he will again replicate that success in Papua New Guinea, and help drive growth and infrastructure investment,” he concluded.